Jewelry Making: Most Popular Articles

Raku Bead and Hemp Necklace
Raku style lampwork beads are strung up with purple hemp and metal beads and finished off with a button toggle clasp in this easy to follow tutorial.

Retro Macrame Choker
Macrame chokers were popular in the 60s and 70s and are now popular again. This "Retro Macrame Choker" survived from the 70s, so I thought it would a fun project to revive.

Make Jewelry Now
Get started making jewelry now with this helpful hub of links to the basics of all kinds of jewelry making: bead stringing; bead weaving; wire work; metal clay; metal fabrication; metal soldering; fused and lampwork glass; and mixed media and fiber.

Wire Used for Jewelry Making
Learn about some of the basic "need to know" details about wire used for making jewelry.

Learn to Solder
Here is a step by step description of how to solder metals such as silver to make jewelry

Making a Bead & Wire Chain
Learn to transform a little wire and a few beads into an awesome chain using this simple jewelry fabrication technique.

Bohemian Wire Bangle Workshop
Sharilyn Miller brings her wire bangle exerptise to the DVD screen showing how to make a number of her bohemian-style bangle bracelets.

Wire Bracelet Projects
Wire Bracelet Projects

Making Wire Wrapped Loops
Learn how to use wire to connect components, other wire sections, beads, and much more with this very versatile wire wrapping technique.

Wire Ring Projects
You can be surprised what you can make with only a few inches of wire and some easy metal fabrication techniques. These ring designs are easy to make and take a minimal amount of materials and tools.

Start Bead Stringing
Bead stringing is an excellent way to get started making jewelry for the first time. This article discusses the tools, supplies, and related information you need to start making beaded jewelry.

Weekly Featured Project - Wire Wrap a Cab
Find out how to wire wrap a cabochon

Crinkle Wire from Beadalon
Crinkle Wire from Beadalon is crinkled on purpose to help the jewelry designer string up some really unique beaded jewelry creations.

Get Started: Macrame Jewelry
A hot fad from the 60s has become popular again today. Learn how you can get started making macrame jewelry.

Get Started: Fused Glass
How you can get started making fused glass jewelry

Bead Stringing Findings
In this article, I take you step by step through some of the most popular jewelry stringing findings. If you want to string up a beaded necklace, bracelet, or anklet, often you’ll need to use one of the following findings in order to do this

Macrame Knot Library
I’ve created this handy Knot Library to help you find and learn the knots you need for your macrame and fiber jewelry making.

Metal Clay Jewelry Making
Find out what you need to get started making jewelry with metal clay.

Free Wire Chain Patterns
Use wire and links to create a variety of chain patterns to use in your jewelry designs. Many of these require no soldering.

Weekly Featured Project - Cleaning Sterling Silver Jewelry
Find out some great, simple recipes you can mix in your own kitchecn to clean your sterling silver jewelry

Lost Wax Casting - How-To
Through a technique called lost wax casting, you can create your own metal charms and pendants.

Simple Loop aka Unwrapped Loop
This basic wire technique is sometimes called the simple loop or the unwrapped loop technique. Whatever you call it, this method is a staple technique for wire work when you want to connect jewelry components.

Step-by-Step Jewelry Workshop
Step-by-Step Jewelry Workshop by Nicola Hurst covers many of the basics when it comes to metal and wire work.

Metal Clay Jewelry
Metal Clay Jewelry - Projects & information

Wire Earring Projects
Wire Earring Projects

Crystal Freedom Necklace
The theme for this wire, chain, and crystal necklace design came from the idea of freedom and starting a new life.

Weekly Feature - Correct Crimping
How to use a crimp bead to finish your beaded jewelry.

Wire Projects and Articles
A list of archived wire projects and articles updated each week

Elastic Beaded Bracelet
Learn to make an elastic stretchy-style beaded bracelet. Once you see how easy it is, you'll want to make yourself a whole wardrobe of these for every outfit in your closet.

Triple "P" Chandelier Earrings
These petite pearl and purple crystal earrings are perfect for those who want the chandelier style without having to wear overly large earrings.

Opal Crystal Elegance Necklace
Gorgeous opal crystals make up this simple and elegant necklace design.

Weekly Featured Project - Basic Wire Bangle
Learn to make a basic wire bangle bracelet from your About.com Guide

Ladder Stitch - Jewelry Making
Ladder Stitch instructions

Vintage Key Necklace
This design has a mixed-media flare because it combines an assortment of jewelry items including brass chain, ribbon, crystals, gemstones, wire and a brass key-shaped stamping.

Basic Bead Earrings
This basic bead earring project is where every beginning jewelry maker should begin. You'll learn some important techniques as you complete this easy earring project.

Celtic Wire Chain
This Celtic inspired chain pattern incorporates beads as well. Make it with a pair of round nosed pliers or use a jig to help make each jewelry component consistantly sized.

How to Use a Bead Board
Learn to use a bead board with your bead stringing and beaded jewelry designs.

Wire Coil Chain
Wire Coil Chain - instructions for jewelry makers

Weekly Featured Project - Beaded Bangle
Create a new look with beads and the basic wire bangle design

Jewelry in a Pickle
What do pickles have to do with jewelry making? Well, pickling solution is a must have item when you solder metal jewelry pieces.

Struggling with String - Jewelry Making
Struggling with String

Tips for Soldering Jewelry
Soldering jewelry doesn't have to be difficult, and to make sure you solder successfully, here are some tips to consider.

Princess Earrings
Beginners will love how easy these sweet earrings are too make. Perfect the princess in all of us.

Pricing Your Jewelry
Use this pricing formula to figure out how much to charge (both wholesale and retail) for your hand-crafted jewelry.

Weekly Featured Project - Traditional Knotting
Learn to knot between beads the traditional way.

What Wire for What?
What Wire for What? - Learn about the different types of wire used for jewelry making.

Weekly Feature - Jump Ring Joy
Jump Ring Joy - another way to make jump rings using a jig

Weekly Featured Project - Getting Started: Wire Working
Learn about a tools used to make wire jewelry

Curly Wire & Bead Ring - Jewelry Making
Curly Wire & Bead Ring from your About.com Guide

Types of Wire: What#146;s t...
What's the difference between gold and gold-filled wire? What is fine silver and sterling silver wire? Learn the differences between types of jewelry making wire.

Proper and Quick Jump Rings
Learn two different ways - one the proper way and one the quick way - of using wire to make jump rings.

Electrolytic Cleaning Solution
Use ingredients found in your kitchen to clean your silver jewelry.

Make Faux Beach Glass
Use your fused glass scraps up with this easy technique for making faux beach glass.

Weekly Feature - Flower & Bead Bracelet
Flower & Bead Bracelet: I created this bracelet to go with my Heart Throb necklace. It's a combination of carnelian and jasper beads along with wire flowers.

Weekly Feature - Square Design Wrap Ring
Square Design Wrap Ring

How to Get Started Making Jewelry
How to Get Started Making Jewelry

Weekly Feature - Memory Wrap Cuff
Memory Wrap Cuff: Combine memory wire, beads, and colored wire to create a unique cuff style bracelet.

Weekly Feature - Do the Twist
Do the Twist: Use all kinds of beads to make this super twisted look for making necklaces and bracelets.

Bead Stringing Fancy Finishes
Add the crimp bead and start adding the wire guardian.

Weekly Feature - Celtic Wire Component
Celtic Wire Component

Weekly Feature - Crimping Pictorial
Crimping Pictorial: Don't like to read directions? Then all you need are a few pictures to get the instructions you need to use crimping pliers and crimp beads.

Weekly Feature - Spring Fling Flower
Spring Fling Flower - Make a bead and wire flower.

Wire Necklace Projects
Wire Necklace Projects

Weekly Feature - Getting Started: Seed Beads
How you can get started learning to seed beads

Getting Started: Metalsmithing
Learn about tools used for metal fabrication and soldering.

Weekly Featured Project - Getting Started: Metalsmithing
Find out about the tools you need to solder and fabricate metal

Square Knot - Jewelry Making
Instructions for making a square knot

Weekly Feature - Floating Flower Necklace
Create a beautiful, yet simple, necklace to enhance your favoirte lampwork bead using some colored wire, beads, and colored beading wire.

Memory Wire Beaded Chokers
Necklace size memory wire is perfect to use for making these sparkling beaded chokers.

How to Use a Bead Tip
Learn the basics for using bead tips to finish off your beaded jewelry designs.

Macrame Jewelry Basics
Macrame Jewelry Basics

Bead and Wire Earring Projects
Two perfect jewelry making combinations - wire and beads - add them together to come up with a huge assortment of earring projects. Here are lots of wire and bead earrings, using materials such as gemstones, crystals, and precious metals to get you started.

Jewelry Clasps and Connectors
Learn about some of the different clasps and connectors used to make beaded jewelry.

Conquer Your Crimps!
Just about any jewelry maker one time or another attempts to use crimp beads, and it can be a challenge. However, with these instructions and tips, anyone can learn this important technique.

Weekly Feature - Macrame Toggle Bracelet
A weekly feature article about jewelry making

Wire & Bead Butterfly
Wire & Bead Butterfly

What Type of Soldering Torch?
In this article, I discuss the use of the proper type of torch for soldering jewelry, explaining metal temperatures and fuel requirements. I also offer lots of excellent resources to help beginners learn to solder.

Weekly Feature - Pretty in Pink Pearl Necklace
Pretty in Pink Pearl Necklace

Weekly Featured Project - Knotting for Cheaters
Learn to knot between beads the cheaters' way.

Fringe Earrings 101
Fringe Earrings 101 - A great project for the beginner seed beader

Selling Your Jewelry to Shops
Have you ever thought about selling your hand-crafted jewelry to shops, boutiques, or galleries? My list of Dos and Don'ts when approaching retail outlets will help you get started.

Weekly Featured Project - Bead/Dangle Ring
Make a ring and add a bead in the middle or dangle some beads using wire or head pins.

Weekly Feature - Square Bead Wire Bangle
A beautiful wire bangle using square beads from your About.com. Guide

Easy Stone Setting
Setting stones doesn't have to be difficult. Here are a few tricks of the trade.

Nicole Chandelier Earrings
While these don't rival the beautiful jewelry Nicole Kidman is so well known for wearing, they remind me of her, thus the name: Nicole Chandelier Earrings!

Glass Jewelry Related Articles
An archived list of glass fusing and lampworking articles

Weekly Featured Project - Wire Wrap a Cab - Page 2
Find out how to wire wrap a cabochon

Weekly Feature - Czech Flower Necklace
Czech Flower Necklace

Weekly Featured Project - Making a Memory Wire Bracelet
Learn how to work with memory wire to make a unique bracelet

Jane Austen Earrings
These earring projects, using a combination of wire and beads, were inspired by Jane Austen.

What is Metal Clay?
This silver and gold clay is a great alternative for those who want to work with metal but not with a torch.

Necklace Instructions - Jewelry Making
Featured Metal - Silver, from your About.com Guide

Rainbow Crystal Butterfly Brac
Dainty yet still packed full of sparkle, make this sterling and crystal butterfly bead bracelet.

Crimp Bead vs. Beading Wire
What size crimp bead do you use with each different size of beading wire? I get this question a lot.

Beaded Bead
Make a Beaded Bead using Delicas and peyote

Do the Jig
While there are a lot of good commercial wire jigs on the market these days, you can also make your own with some wood and a few nails.

Step by Step Bare Foot Sandals - Jewelry Making
Use these step by step instructions to make a pair of Bare Foot Sandals

I Want to Be a Jewelry Designe
Discover the very first step you need to take to become a jewelry designer.

Beaded Bead Bracelet
Beaded Bead Bracelet Delicas crystals Czech beads rose quartz

Medieval Earrings
After making these earrings, they reminded me of the large, steeple style hats worn by women during the Medieval period - thus the title of these earrings.

Cover Your Crimps!
What a fabulous idea: covers for your crimp beads! It's about time too! Learn how to use these cool covers to disguise your crimp beads and add a special touch to all your jewelry designs.

Raku Lampwork Beads
Learn the process for turning a normal lampwork bead into a Raku-style lampwork bead.

Four Loop Wire Component
Learn to make this very versatile wire component. Use it for earrings, bracelets, or even as part of a clasp

Bead Stringing for Beginners
Learn to make beautiful beaded jewelry.

Glass Jewelry and Torch Work
Here is a little bit of information that discusses the use of a torch for making glass jewelry.

Graduate Celebration Necklace
Celebrate with crystals, hematite stars, and hematite hearts dangling from this uniquely patterned chain.

Pearl Ilusion Necklace
Make an illusion-style necklace with pearl beads, beading wire, and crimp beads. Then finish it off with a hand-crafted clasp.

Weekly Feature - Knit with Wire
Knit with Wire: Learn some tips for beading with wire.

Crochet Wire/Beaded Jewelry
Author Jacqui Harris shows how to make 25 crochet wire and bead necklaces in her book Crochet Wire and Bead Jewelry.

Weekly Feature - Clover Chain
Clover Chain: Use wire and few simple clover and jump ring components to make this chain.

Weekly Feature - Crochet Amulet
A weekly feature article about jewelry making

Weekly Feature - Necklace/Bracelet Combo
A weekly feature article from your About.com Guide

Weekly Feature - Pearl Dangle Earrings
Pearl Dangle Earrings

Overhand Knot
Instructions for making an Overhand Knot

Weekly Featured Project - Wrap Toe Ring
Use wire to make this toe ring from your About.com Guide

Weekly Feature - Wire Wrapped Beads
Wire Wrapped Beads

Weekly Feature - Grandmother Bracelet
Grandmother Bracelet: You've heard of mothers' rings and mothers' bracelets, now here's a grandmother bracelet.

More Is Better Beads & Chain
Let your creative juices overflow with this eclectic 40 inch bead and chain necklace project.

Weekly Feature - Wrapping an Opal Glass Cab
Wrapping an Opal Glass Cab

Weekly Feature - How to Soldering Glass for Jewelry Making
How to Solder Glass for Jewelry Making: Learn the basics for soldering glass so you can create unique glass jewelry.

Oxidizing with Silver Black
Silver Black is a product used by some metal workers to oxidize their finished jewelry. It's pretty easy to use, and it has an interesting affect on your metal jewelry.

Tin Cup Necklace
The Tin Cup Necklace is a classic and very easy to make, especially for those jewelry makers learning to knot between beads.

Lucky Gemstone & Wire Bracelet
Funky green turquoise beads, malachite beads, and copper wire are turned into an earthy gemstone bracelet and topped off with a lucky charm.

Weekly Featured Project - Free Form Ring
Learn to make a simple free form ring using wire and a few tools

Weekly Feature - Drill Sergeant
How to use a drill press to cut holes in your glass jewelry

Wire Snake Jewelry Jig Piece
A versatile design, this wire shape snakes around back and forth. Use it as is to create a pendant, or add a dangle to jazz it up. You can also make a few and attach ear wires to make a pair of earrings.

Chandelier Earring Projects
One of the hottest jewelry trends to come and stay for good are chandelier earrings, and you can easily make your own using beads, wire, and findings. Here are some projects to get you started.

Indian Jewelry Making Volume I
Learn to make authentic Native American style jewelry with the project from this book.

Center Piece Necklace
Instructions for making a Center Piece Necklace

Weekly Feature - Jewelry Hang Tags & Earring Cards
Jewelry Hang Tags & Earring Cards: Make your own and add a special touch to your jewelry designs whether you sell your jewelry or just enjoy giving it away as gifts.

Stitches & Tips for Beading
Stitches & Tips for Beading

Macrame Donut Necklace Project
Macrame Donut Necklace

Bead and Wire Bookmark
Begin the Wire Wrap

Mother Bracelet Designs
Mother Bracelet Designs: Using birthstone and birthstone colored crystal beads, you can make a wide variety of mothers' and grandmothers' bracelets. Here are a few styles to pick from so you can wear a bracelet that represents your family.

Sense Earrings
Because Jane Austen's novel Sense and Sensibility has two heroines, I've created two earrings for it, so this is the "sense" pair.

Resin Jewelry Art
Sherri Haab uncovers the secrets of making resin jewelry in her book, The Art os Resin Jewelry.

Weekly Featured Project - Hook and Eye Clasp
Make your own quick clasp to finish off wire or bead projects

Weekly Feature - Beaded Bead Button Earrings
Beaded Bead Button Earrings

From Venice with Love Bracelet
Pink symbolizes love, and what better way to show someone how much you love her with this beautiful bracelet inspired by Venice.

Two-Hole Metal Punch
Learn about this handy little tool for punching holes in soft metal.

Crochet Wire & Bead Bracelet
Instructions for Crochet Wire & Bead Bracelet

Wire Wrap a Cab
Cabochons come in many shapes and are made from a variety of stones such as hematite, aventurine, and agate.Though there are many ways to wrap cabs with wire, I find this method works well for me.

Single Pearl Necklace
You can make traditional jewelry just as easily, if not more so, than artistic jewelry. This single pearl pendant on a chain is one of the all time classic jewelry designs.

Brick Stitch in a Nutshell - Jewelry Making
Brick Stitch in a Nutshell

Soldering Setup
When soldering, it is really important to have a spot designed just for this. Here are some tips on setting up your own area to solder in.

Weekly Featured Project - Swirl Wire Design Part 2
Here is another step you can take while making these sterling silver swirl earrings

Weekly Featured Project - Bare Foot Sandals
Make some Bare Foot Sandals

Weekly Feature - Ocean Charm Anklet
Ocean Charm Anklet: Incorporate charms into a bead and wire anklet without soldering or using jump rings.

Threader Earring Tips
Have you made any threader earrings yet, or are you thinking of making yourself a pair soon? If so, then you'll want to take a look at some of these ear thread tips compiled from the Jewelry Making forum. Some are tips from me and some are tips from forum members.

Rose Quarts "Love" Pendant
Rose quartz symbolizes love. So what better stone to include along with some chain and a few findings to create this pretty pendant?